Oh, it’s shameful, but I love these commando parenting shows. Let’s discuss the compative merits of each show. I’ll start:
In my observation N911 is more likely to come down hard on a checked out dad. I’ve don’t think I’ve seen a show where they didn’t press the dad to be more active with the kids. I’ve seen SuperNanny give uninvolved fathers a pass.
SuperNanny does a better job of showing how the discipline should be enacted, such as time out and getting down on the kids’ level. N911 seems to focus more on the conflict/chaos and parental defensiveness. The resolution often seems rushed.
The families used to get parting gifts (cruises, new appliances, that kind of thing) from N911. They may have stopped doing that though, because last night’s family didn’t get squat.
In a recent episode, I think N911 came down on a dad without justification (I don’t remember which nanny it was). She rightly criticized the dad for riding some sort of off-road vehicle around in the yard while he was supposed to be playing with his daughters, but she also criticized him for having too much fun with the kids on a trampoline. OK, I can see possible safety issues with the trampoline, but the show seemed to be saying it was bad that the father was having fun playing with the kids on it.
The nanny also basically said to him that having fun was something that people do before they are parents. I think that’s a lousy attitude- he should be looking for ways to have fun that include the kids, like Supernanny does.
I thought that’s what she meant, maybe I’m too forgiving on Nanny Yvonne. I don’t think she communicated that well with him overall, you’re right about that.
That dad was a dick though. Do you remember what an ass he was after his wife went fishing with the Ignored Son? He threw a little tantrum because they brought back live fish.
He was totally a dick. But I don’t think telling him that he can’t have any fun anymore because he’s a dad now is a good way to convince him not to be a dick.
Good point. Nanny Yvonne is my least favorite Nanny, she has a way of being strident sometimes. I think I like Stella the best, though Deb has her moments.